Analysis
California's tech industry creates vastly different outcomes across computer science programs. While UCLA and Berkeley graduates command six-figure starting salaries, programs across the state show enormous variationβfrom $136,000 at the top end down to the mid-$50,000 range where Notre Dame de Namur's program likely sits based on comparable California programs.
The estimated $25,000 debt burden isn't particularly highβit matches the national median for computer science bachelor's degrees. With first-year earnings around $54,000 suggested by similar California programs, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, meaning roughly five months of gross salary to cover the debt. That's manageable on paper, but the real concern is the earnings gap: this program appears to produce outcomes roughly $30,000 below what top California CS programs deliver, and even $7,000 below the state median.
For a Bay Area school in one of the nation's strongest tech markets, that disconnect matters. Students here are competing for jobs against graduates from UC campuses and other programs that demonstrably place graduates into much higher-paying roles. The small sample size that necessitates these estimates also raises questions about program scale and employer recognition. If your child has admission offers from UC campuses or other California schools with reported earnings above $70,000, those represent substantially stronger financial outcomes for similar or lower debt.
Where Notre Dame de Namur University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (49 total in state)
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| β | $53,881* | β | $25,000* | β | |
| $13,747 | $136,099* | $164,612 | $15,248* | 0.11 | |
| $14,850 | $88,030* | β | $13,550* | 0.15 | |
| $15,247 | $84,343* | $129,448 | $14,282* | 0.17 | |
| $51,790 | $83,026* | β | β* | β | |
| $58,974 | $79,763* | β | $26,000* | 0.33 | |
| National Median | β | $61,322* | β | $25,000* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 20 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.